Australia thrashed Pakistan by 113 runs to remain unbeaten in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Headingley, although a semifinal place is still not guaranteed.
The four-time winner has won all four of its Group 1 matches but could yet finish level on points with South Africa and India, who are both capable of ending the group stage with four victories. Australia faces India in a sold-out clash at Lord’s on Sunday, with a semifinal berth still to be confirmed. Australia has never failed to reach the knockout stage of a Women’s T20 World Cup.
Elsewhere, defending champion New Zealand and Sri Lanka kept their slim semifinal hopes alive with victories in Bristol. New Zealand defeated Scotland by six wickets, while Sri Lanka cruised past Ireland by nine wickets.
Perry stars as Australia dominates
Australia recovered from losing Beth Mooney to the first ball of the match to post a formidable 199 for 7 before bowling Pakistan out for just 86 in 13.5 overs.
The recovery was led by Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll, whose 100-run partnership came in only 56 balls. Voll made 39 before Perry continued her outstanding innings, scoring 71 from 48 deliveries. Useful contributions from Annabel Sutherland (27) and Nicola Carey (26) ensured Australia maintained its momentum throughout the innings.
Mooney, who had retired hurt with a stiff back against Sri Lanka on Saturday, later appeared to hurt her right wrist while keeping wicket but continued and finished with three catches.
Pakistan’s chase unravelled quickly, with three run-outs, two involving opener Muneeba Ali, who top-scored with 32.
Perry then capped a superb all-round display by taking 2 for 9 in her only over. Captain Sophie Molineux and Sutherland claimed two wickets each, while Georgia Wareham finished with 1 for 12 from two overs, including 11 dot balls.
“We’ve got options, we’ve got depth, we are in a good position in that space,” Molineux said.
“We always review our games and there are things we want to tick off. Even though we’ve had a couple of strong wins, I don’t think we’ve ticked everything off.”
Athapaththu powers Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu responded emphatically after describing herself as “a failure as a captain” following the defeat to West Indies.
Playing in her 10th Women’s T20 World Cup, Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 106, accounting for all but 28 of Sri Lanka’s 134 runs. It was the eighth century in Women’s T20 World Cup history and the fourth T20 international hundred of her career.
She reached her fifty from 32 balls before racing to three figures, with 76 of her runs coming in boundaries. Fittingly, she struck the winning runs as Sri Lanka completed a nine-wicket victory with 27 balls to spare.
“I got out early last game. I was disappointed about that, but we won today and that’s what matters to me as a player and as a captain,” Athapaththu said.
“I just played my natural game. I always attack. I tried my best to do my best.”
Ireland, still searching for its first Women’s T20 World Cup victory, recovered from an early collapse through captain Gaby Lewis and Leah Paul. Lewis, who scored a century when Ireland defeated Sri Lanka in 2024, made 59 from 50 balls before she was bowled by Athapaththu.
Published on Jun 24, 2026
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